I noticed that is often the policy of light sellers - even domestic ones - that the buyer pay for return shipping if an item is defective.
In my experience most, not all, companies (at least in the U.S.) that sell other goods usually pay for return shipping if an item is defective out of the box.
What has been your experience? Is it fair that the buyer pay for return shipping in such a circumstance? What do you think?
No, it's not your fault as the consumer that the product was defective. It is almost like punishing the buyer for buying from you and expecting that the product work as advertised out of the box. I think the person you bought it from should pay and then in turn the company that made the product should reimburse the vendor as the company that sent out faulty product is the one at the root of the issue.
Yes, it is fair. If he doesn't want to pay for return shipping, he shouldn't sell his goods online.
I think its a kind of consumer protection to pass on the shipping cost to the stronger market actor.
Yes the seller should pay return shipping on DOA items. It should give them incentive to check the item for functionality before they ship it too.
Yes I think its fair for www retailers to make consumers pay for return shipping, BUT ONLY IF the seller makes it CLEAR upfront at the time of sale.
More online sellers should strive to be like Amazon 
Amazon is one of those giant companies you're not exclusively loyal to yet you return frequently and always keep at the top of your list. I purchased a $30 electronics item that was slightly defective and they covered all costs since it was within 30 days of purchase.
On a similar note, I get bothered by ebay sellers who wait for the buyer to leave feedback first. That makes no sense. I always leave positive feedback first if the buyer pays immediately. It's not logical to require the buyer to leave feedback before the seller. This party has completed his/her end of the transaction and there is nothing left to do. If the ploy is to hold the feedback hostage then it's just plain rotten business practice.
The return policy of Amazon.de is not a nice service - it's the german law. If you buy something of a german internetshop you can send it back within 14 days. If the value is higher as 40€ you don't pay for shipping, under 40€ you pay for it - this happens, when the product works fine but you dont't want it anymore.
If the product is defect you pay nothing and the value isn't important.
This is great in Germany :)
+ 1, I totally agree!
[quote=Buwuve]
great in Germany :)
[/quote]
Amazon in the US has some of the best customer service in the industry. Pretty much a total satisfaction guarantee, at least in my experience. I just wish they had better flashlight selections, or at least easier to find.
On the OP: Buyer should not have to pay, unless is is stated up front in terms or shipping area. If I bought a light from anyone, it arrived DOA, and I had to pay to get satisfaction, that vendor would never get another dime from me and I would warn everyone I could. I agree with CD520 (welcome back, haven't seen you in a while!) that if more vendors actually checked the lights before sending them out, a lot of problems could be avoided.
In a word: No.
+1
I'm a bit torn on this one. If a product is defective and not manufactured by the seller, then ideally neither the buyer nor the seller should have to pay return shipping. It would be great for the manufacturer to reimburse for defective products. I'm sure that's probably not a reasonable arrangement for most businesses, though, so someone has to take care of it. In the event of an exchange, if the buyer pays to ship back and the seller pays to send a second item, that would seem pretty fair. In the event that the buyer only wants a refund due to lack of confidence b/c of the defect, etc., then it's probably good business for the seller to eat the cost. If that is NOT the policy, it should be clearly stated up front.
The flip side is that when ordering from an arrangement where one does not hold the merchandise in hand, it should be obvious that the buyer is responsible for their own due diligence. If they aren't willing to pay return shipping, then simply find out the policy AHEAD of time! Do fail to do your homework and then complain because you are being treated according to the policy of the company you chose to do business with.
No
And +1 to this v
No.
LOL, good luck around here at getting the USPS or other delivery person to wait while long enough for the first flap to get opened!
I like the idea of asking a trusted sender to check, but I'd expect higher prices for special service, too. A more lenient return policy will generally be more expensive with the cost passed along, too.
Kramer said it well, if it is disclosed at sale it is fair. Is it what I desire, well: HECK NO. You pay your money and you take your chances . . and mostly I hope not to buy from someone like all those slickdealers that will so easily screw over their sources AND their customers.
Check this out, I bought a Zebralight from Goinggear.com and it was faulty. It was free shipping if over $60. It came to about $65 so I didn’t pay shipping tomget it. When I retured it, they subtracted $2.95 from my refund for “shipping fees”. I had to pay to send it back to them and they took another $2.95. I paid $5.95 to return it plus the $2.95 they basically stole from me. $8 to buy a defective light and the time wasted having to send it back. Needless to say, that wss my first and last ever dealing with that company.
I heard good things about Zebralights and going gear but I got a raw deal. No more Zebra ligts or Going Gear for me.
+1
Couldn't put it better myself.
But…but…but…
Anyone who thinks DX or MF or the rest is gonna treat you like Amazon has parted company with reality.
Buying Chinese stuff direct is a crapshoot, if you don't know that you shouldn't do it. They have their shipping subsidized, so it would be cheaper in many cases to give you a full refund than to pay for USA shipping to China. And there is no way that the mfg is re-imbursing anyone for shipping, that just is not a realistic expection.
If you want to be sure something works don't buy it on ebay or a Chinese website, buy it somewhere where you can put your hands on it.
Yeah ok, but look at it this way: If, say, a plumber does a shoddy job of work for you, which then leaks and needs to be re-done due to his negligence, would you expect to have to pay his expenses to come back and put it right? I'm not saying I expect manufacturers to behave honourably, just that I think they should do. God knows they're happy enough to take our money.